Are and Is

[jefmcg]

Data is.

No, that's like saying "Facts is". The others are ok.

 

[winjim]

No, that's like saying "Facts is". The others are ok.

On second thought I think you're right. I do however think most people when they say "data" mean it in the context of my third example, as shorthand for "the collection of data" or "the conclusion drawn from the data" or somesuch. I'm pretty sure I do when I'm at work, I'm usually more pedantic in an online discussion though .

 

[jefmcg]

Yeah, I have real trouble using it correctly. "data is" sounds right to me.

Oddly I have no issue with getting it right for sheep. "The sheep is named Shaun"** or "The sheep are in the paddock"

**that one is for @vickster

 

[DaveReading]

Nothing wrong with a bit of ED !

Hopefully you mean the singer and not the acronym.

 

[RichardB]

And also "the media is ..." and so on. I think we have to accept that 'data' and 'media' are now used by most people as singular nouns, so I don't get too bothered by "the data is" or using "media" as a singular. They kind of grate, but I understand that usage is king, and it's not worth losing sleep over. I worked with a guy who was a proper classical scholar, and when he chaired meetings he would say things like "shall we move onto the next agendum?" (Pronounced with a hard g, of course). He sounded a bit of a dick, to be honest.

 

[Profpointy]

The real problem isn't exactly what is above, but what if a band wins. It's either

"The winner is One Direction"
Or
"The winners are One direction"

I think it's a matter of opinion which is right. If it's a single prize that could go to either a band or an individual, I'd go with the first. If all the contestants are bands - especially if it's a prize for bands, I'd go with the second.

Note Neither "The winner are One Direction" nor "`The winners is One Direction" are correct. Ever.

But anyway, surely we'd want to know which Direction had won, not merely that One Direction had; that tells us nothing

 

[RichardB]

Paging Kanye West, George North, Gareth Southgate and Nick Easter ...

 

[vickster]

Nothing wrong with a bit of ED !

Erectile Dysfunction? Indeed, it's now treatable

 

[RichardB]

I need a stiff drink.

 

[winjim]

Erectile Dysfunction? Indeed, it's now treatable

Cuchilo's a carpenter, he's always got wood.

 

[User482]

Data is.
The data are.
The [collection of] data is.
The datum is.

Agendum is/ agenda are.

 

[Profpointy]

Agendum is/ agenda are.

so is it "the yolk of an egg are white" or "the yolk of an egg is white"

 

[RichardB]

so is it "the yolk of an egg are white" or "the yolk of an egg is white"

Is. Why would it be 'are'? It doesn't make sense.

 

[jefmcg]

Is. Why would it be 'are'? It doesn't make sense.

 

[Dayvo]

Is. Why would it be 'are'? It doesn't make sense.

HA HA HA HA!